Harriet smiled once again in that same exaggerated way, and took a seat next to Simon. This time, she was sitting quite close. Closer than she usually did.
Simon was beginning to understand what she was doing. It was all an act — a display in front of Tobias.
But what exactly did Harriet hope to achieve by it?
Tobias cleared his throat awkwardly. “Simon, if you have called me to ask about my progress then I must disappoint you again?—”
Harriet jumped in halfway, “No, no. You misunderstand us,” she said in a soft voice. “We have not called to further reprimandyou, or give you grief. Nothing of the sort. In fact, the duke has some good news for you.”
“I do?” Simon raised an eyebrow. Whatever script Harriet was following in her mind, she had conveniently forgotten to send him a copy it seemed.
“Yes,” Harriet smiled. “Just yesterday, the duke and I were discussing the matter of your allowance. I gave him the suggestion that he should reinstate it. In fact, not only that but he will double it.”
Tobias looked as though he had been knocked down with a feather. His gaze shifted rapidly between Harriet, to Simon and then back to Harriet.
“Is that…” he started, baffled, “Are you playing a joke on me? Is that what this is?”
“No,” Harriet said, “Why would we play a joke on you? You are an important member of the Atherton family, are you not?”
Simon did not know where Harriet was going with this — it was one thing not to let him know about Emma, but another thing entirely to reinstate his allowance.
That might be taking it too far. But he did not interrupt just yet, knowing that, as insane as her plans were, Harriet did have a penchant for finding solutions.
So for the first time in perhaps forever, Simon let go of his urge to control the situation and let Harriet steer the wheel.
“Yes, but my brother has never believed in reinstating anything. In fact, he boasts that he is not one to ever go back on his word,” Tobias replied.
Harriet nudged Simon softly, as if to tell him toplay along.“Simon, dear. It seems that your brother has a case of bad faith. Would you please clarify to him that you agree with what I have just told him?”
Simon nodded, begrudgingly.
Harriet better know what she is doing.
Tobias’s eyes widened. “My goodness. It is real. This might be the first instance in his life where he has gone back on a decision that he made….”
Harriet smiled, “You know, Tobias, it is not a coincidence that he is doing this. We discuss all matters together, and then arrive at the best decision. It is an important part of any partnership.”
Simon could see that Harriet had Tobias hooked. He seemed hungry to know more.
“You have to excuse me for my disbelief, Duchess. But this is really remarkable…”
“Well, it is marriage,” Harriet smiled. “When you have a wife of your own, you will see how much of a positive influence she can be. Simon no longer has to be alone in his decision-making — he can always consult me. Together, we are stronger for it.”
If Simon did not know any better, he would have been convinced by Harriet’s speech as well. Such was the conviction in her words.
She nudged him again.
“Ah, yes,” Simon added. “Marriage has proven to be quite a positive influence in my life.”
“Do you really rate it so highly, brother?” Tobias addressed his brother directly now. “I would have never guessed.”
Simon nodded, playing along. “Yes, the marriages that we saw growing up were less than ideal. Going into it, I had the same fears. But with Harriet, it has been nothing but a breeze…”
“I see…”
“Say, Tobias,” Harriet started. “I would suggest that you settle down, too. The sooner the better for you.”
Simon expected Tobias to laugh off the suggestion — as he always had in the past. But to his utter shock, he nodded.
